At least 108 people have been killed and 128 others injured after Kerala landslides, according to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He stated at a press conference that ‘the catastrophe has resulted in the loss of 108 lives, with 128 individuals injured and receiving treatment in various hospitals.’
The landslides, triggered by relentless monsoon rains, hit tea plantations in Wayanad district around 2 a.m. on Tuesday (20:30 GMT on Monday). The heavy rain caused hillsides to collapse, sending torrents of mud, water, and boulders into the area, cutting off at least four villages. Rescue efforts have been hampered by ongoing rains and blocked roads, with many victims being tea estate workers and their families who were asleep in makeshift shelters.
Wayanad is known for its tea estates, which employ a large number of casual labourers. Television footage showed rescue workers navigating through uprooted trees and flattened structures, with boulders scattered across the hillsides and muddy water flowing through. Rescuers were seen being pulled across a stream, carrying stretchers and equipment to assist those affected.
One man was stuck in chest-high mud for hours before being rescued by emergency workers, as seen on television. At least 100 families remain stranded, according to local Asianet TV. Nearly 350 families live in the affected region, mostly in tea and cardamom estates, and 250 people have been rescued so far, state officials reported.
Indian Army engineers have been deployed to build a replacement bridge after the original was destroyed, linking the affected area to the nearest town, Chooralmala. Kerala Chief Secretary V Venu mentioned that a small team had managed to reach the site, but more assistance was needed for rescue operations, as many people are still missing.
The meteorological department reported extremely heavy rainfall over northern and central Kerala on Tuesday, with more rain expected. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, announcing a compensation payment of $2,400 (200,000 rupees) for each family. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called the situation ‘heartbreaking’ and emphasised the need for a comprehensive plan to address the increasing frequency of natural disasters.
Monsoon rains, vital for agriculture and water supply in South Asia, also bring destruction in the form of floods and kerala landslides. The number of such events has risen in recent years, with climate change exacerbating the situation. Earlier this month, intense storms caused flooding in Mumbai and lightning strikes in Bihar, killing at least 10 people. In 2018, nearly 500 people died in Kerala’s worst flooding in a century, and India’s deadliest landslide in recent decades occurred in 1998, killing at least 220 people in Malpa village.
- Germany Bans Oneplus Smartphones Over 5G Patent Disputes - October 4, 2024
- DC and Marvel Lose Trademark Rights to ‘Superhero’ - October 4, 2024
- Ravi Ahuja Appointed as CEO of Sony Pictures - October 4, 2024
